Dr. Freda Miller: Biology of Hope

The mystery of how healing happens is the basis of Dr. Freda Miller's work - and she has found a large piece of the puzzle at the base of our own skin. Stem cells can change and specialize, leading to the hope for "cells as medicine."  Is a "miracle cure" down the road?

It started when Freda Miller asked simple question: if a cut finger can mend and feel again, then can a damaged brain, given new material to work with, also regenerate new pathways? Dr. Freda Miller and colleague Jean Toma started looking for the roots of life, just at the base of the skin. Remarkably, they found what they were looking for - " a microcosm of the human body" in every stem cell. Now they are chasing the cure for nervous system diseases that affect millions. Their research steps right into the political and ethical battles swirling around stem cell research, particularly as the material used has primarily involved human embryos. Their discovery that these same stem cells can be extracted from the deepest layers of the skin of mice, and differentiating into muscle, fat, perhaps even neurons, may sweep away the minefield of embryonic research. The discover that it may be possible to regenerate "brains from skin" inspired headlines like" "A Sci-fi Dream Come True?"